Underground villages and fairy chimneys

A quick nap after ballooning and we are off to see an underground village. Cappadocia is comprised of volcanic tufa (solidified ash, very soft) , volcanic rock, sandstone and granite. Made for a fascinating tour from our historian and geologist guide, Sefa. The underground cities/villages were built over centuries, even as early as 2000 B.C. Over 150 of these are known today, one which could shelter 30,000 persons.
Archeologists think these may have functioned as refugee camps in the 3rd century for Christians fleeing from what is now Israel and Syria.
Lunch in a small village and then off to the fairy chimney rock formations of Pasabag Valley. The tufa has worn away leaving pillars supporting rock caps. Some have homes or chapels carved into them.Read more